Driving Itineraries

Situated on the cusp of three major highways, Dubbo is ideally located in the heart of New South Wales and is easily accessible via air, road or rail from Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. Break up your journey with the great selection of educational attractions along the way, no matter the route, you’re simply spoiled for choice.

From Brisbane (via Coonabarabran)

Crystal Kingdom, Coonabarabran
Here you will find out all about our two extinct volcanoes, see the world’s rarest and most colourful Zeolite crystals and learn about some of the area’s fossil past. www.crystalkingdom.com.au

Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran
Australia’s foremost optical astronomy research centre and home of the giant 3.9 m mirror Anglo Australian telescope. Professional astronomers from around the world come here to research our vast solar system and beyond. www.warrumbungleregion.com.au

Coo-ee Heritage Centre, Gilgandra
The museum is a living demonstration of non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal cultures living and working together in today’s world. Exhibitions include Coo-ee March, local pioneer history, Aboriginal displays and traveling and local exhibitions. www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au

Rural Museum, Gilgandra
Offers you a peep into yesteryear with its fascinating collection of agricultural machinery. Learn about great grandfather’s carts & drays, old harvesters and an impressive range of early model tractors. www.ruralmuseum.org.au/coo-ee-heritage-centre

From Sydney (via Great Western Highway)

Bathurst Goldfields, Bathurst
Step back in time in this authentic reconstruction of a gold mining area. With museum, Chinese Protectorate, geology and history rooms you gain an insight into the discovery of gold and how it was mined. www.bathurstgoldfields.com.au

Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, Bathurst
Billions of years in the making – our unique fossil and mineral galleries let you travel through time, experiencing the wonder of ancient specimens that have been uncovered from deep within the earth. www.somervillecollection.com.au

Henry Lawson Centre, Bathurst
A museum which illustrates Henry Lawson’s life and works with articles, artefacts, paintings, books, photos and manuscripts. www.henrylawsongulgong.org.au

Chifley Home, Bathurst
This house museum served as the only marital home of Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley and his wife, Elizabeth. The home contains original household furnishings, personal belongings and ceremonial gifts of the Chifleys. www.chifleyhome.org.au

Wellington Caves, Wellington
First place in the world where megafauna bones were discovered. See bones dating back to 850,000 years ago and discover a phosphate mine. www.wellingtoncaves.com.au

From Sydney (via Mudgee)

Colonial Inn Museum, Mudgee
An astonishing array of Australiana covering an acre. View the famous Holterman photographic collection, as well as old mining equipment, horse drawn vehicles, cottages, a blacksmith’s shop and a museum of sight and sound. www.mudgeemuseum.com

Pioneers Museum, Gulgong
Bringing rural history to life. Outdoor and photographic displays, domestic artefacts, family research a specialty. www.gulgongmuseum.com

From Canberra (via Cowra)

Age of Fishes Museum, Canowindra
The Age Of Fishes Museum houses a collection of 360 million year old fish fossils discovered close to the village of Canowindra. Earth & Environmental Science presentations designed for students. www.ageoffishes.org.au

Cowra War Museum, Cowra
Extensive private collection of war, rail and rural memorabilia, including the largest collection of artefacts from the Cowra POW Campsite. www.cowratourism.com.au

Cowra POW Theatre, Cowra
In this free presentation, you will hear the story of the Cowra Breakout and its aftermath in an informative Holographic format. www.cowratourism.com.au

Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre, Cowra
Designed to represent the landscape of Japan, the Garden takes visitors on a voyage of discovery, with an authentic open-air tea house, Tatami Room (traditional Japanese living room). www.cowragarden.com.au

Parkes Radio Telescope, Parkes
Opened in 1961, this iconic scientific masterpiece has and continues to play a significant part in Australia's history. Made famous in the hit movie The Dish. Free entry to Discovery Centre. www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au

Peak Hill Open Cut Experience, Peak Hill
This large open-cut goldmine interprets both historical and modern mining techniques. Visitors can take a self-guided tour around the pits, and peer into the large pit from a viewing platform. www.peakhill.nsw.au

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